I drove Route 66 from Chicago to L.A. (just like the song) and it was bittersweet to see all these cool stores, gas stations, and restaurants that where left behind. Once the new freeway was built, traffic wasn’t going to pass by again.

On The Mother Road: Route 66

It was around the ’60s when freeways started to crisscross America. When it comes to searching for cool Mid-Century establishments, you have to go where cars used to travel. Tiki was at its height in popularity in the ’50s and ’60s so it didn’t surprise me to learn that a cool Tiki motel was located on the main road that used to go right through the center of Mount Vernon, Washington.

“I don’t want to live back in time, I just want to be able to touch it.”

– Charles Phoenix

I couldn’t agree more! I don’t know if living back in the ’50s and ’60s would be any “better” than living in the present, but damn, did it look great!

I’ve always felt that Kodachrome pictures are the closest thing you can get to a time machine. The colors are so rich and the pictures have so much depth that they make you feel like you were the one behind the camera taking them. Charles Phoenix collects Kodachrome slides and puts on presentations showing off his collection. Words can’t describe how fun and entertaining Charles’s slideshow is. You just have to go see for yourself!

I had a chance to chat with Charles while he was driving his car around sunny California. Here is his story…

I have to admit that getting up early Sunday after ALL the action from yesterday was quite a task. My hotel bed never felt better, but you know what’s better than sleeping in? Checking out a bunch of home Tiki bars!

Every year, my scooter club hosts a ride. This year, I thought it would be a cool to make it Tiki/Hawaiian-themed. So Day One of our rally was spent rolling around Seattle eating at Hawaiian places and drinking at Tiki bars! Kickstands up…let’s go!

If someone is going to teach you about the wide world of rum, that person should be Martin Cate. I believe Martin’s bar, Smuggler’s Cove, touts having the largest collection of rum. Martin came up to Tiki Kon to talk about rum…

Day One of Tiki Kon was jammed pack with Tiki drinks, live bands, and even more Tiki drinks. As much as I would have liked to have slept in Saturday morning, I knew I couldn’t. The Island Marketplace was going on and the good Tiki stuff sells quickly. They say the early bird gets the worm, so I got up, got dressed, choose my aloha shirt for the day, got some Starbucks (hey, I’m from Seattle!), and headed to the Island Marketplace…